Nine Sarasota Shopping Finds Inspired by Havana
Cuba’s capital is heating up spring fashion collections, which sizzle with vibrant colors and sultry prints. Stella McCartney’s Havana-themed fashion show paid homage to the colorful look, while chic menswear house Suitsupply recreated the structured style of Havana’s professional dandies. Karl Lagerfeld has announced his Chanel Cruise 2016/17 collection will be presented in Havana on May 3; back home, Sarasotans are gearing up with gourmet tours and interiors based on Cuba’s Art Deco and midcentury décor.
Join restaurateurs Jaymie and Tommy Klauber on a culinary and cocktail tour of Cuba April 24-30 ($6,950), from the street food of Havana to farming communities for some of the country’s best paladars (privately owned and operated restaurants). Admiral Travel, 1284 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota, (941) 951-1801.
Amsterdam-based men’s house Suitsupply based its Spring 2016 collection on a Havana theme, with off white linens (waistcoat, $139) mixed with lightweight plaids of silk, linen and wool (jacket, $399). Available online, or at stores in Miami or New York. suitsupply.com
The quickest route to Havana is an instant room makeover with accent pillows like Ulani, an indoor-outdoor tropical design from Surya ($46 for a 16-inch by 16-inch; $66 for a 20-inch by 20-inch). Kalin’s Furniture, 5252 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, (941) 924-1271.
Get in character with award-winning Aroma de Cuba Noblesse by Ashton Cigar, available in the original Coronation size ($16) and this year’s Regency ($14). Both are offered in limited boxes of 24 cigars (2,500 will be made in each size). Special order at Bennington Tobacconist, 5 Fillmore Drive, Sarasota, (941) 388-1562.
Channel Ernest Hemingway’s Cuban abode with a limited-edition humidor from Thomasville’s Hemingway collection. Equipped with a hydrometer, humidification unit and interior trays, it’s wrapped in leather and sits on a forged metal stand (from $1,379). Order at Bacon’s, 7522 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, (941) 924-7886.
Indulge in Cuba’s traditional highball, the mojito, made just as Cubans do. The drink is a favorite at the Columbia Restaurant, which shares its recipe and sells its own mojito pitchers and glasses online. Columbia Restaurant, 411 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, (941) 388-3987.
Pound the pavements of Havana in these Cubanas brand shoes designed with a retro feel. Made in Portugal, they feature loafer styling, a faux wood platform and 4 1/2-inch heels ($168). Available through Anthropologie, University Town Center Drive, Sarasota, (941) 306-4513.
Live the look with a foldable Panama replete with leather headband from Lock and Co., the oldest hat shop in the world. Providing headwear since 1676, the shop serves such clients as the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales ($548). brooksbrothers.com, 1500 Main St, Sarasota, (941) 954-7545.
A sunny take on Cuba’s mid-century style, the Aura dining chair from Vero Beach-based David Francis Furniture ($1,690) is shown in orange slice, one of six brilliant colors in the just-introduced Vibrant palette. Order at Robb & Stucky, 7557 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, (941) 702-8400.
